Allergists Urge Asthmatics to Get Swine and Seasonal Flu Shots Following CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee Recom...( The nation's...),Health

The nation's allergists are urging asthma patients to get a swine (H1N1) flu shot in addition to a seasonal flu shot this fall to protect themselves against both types of the influenza following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccine Advisory Committee recommendations July 29 that identified people with asthma as one of the high-priority groups to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine.

Arlington Heights, IL (PRWEB) July 30, 2009 -- The nation's allergists are urging asthma patients to get a swine (H1N1) flu shot in addition to a seasonal flu shot this fall to protect themselves against both types of the influenza following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Vaccine Advisory Committee recommendations July 29 that identified people with asthma as one of the high-priority groups to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) and its member allergists, who are experts in diagnosing and treating asthma, warn that those with asthma who contract the flu (either H1N1 or seasonal) can have a more severe case and take longer to recover. When the H1N1 vaccine becomes available, the ACAAI recommends the 22 million Americans with asthma get that shot in addition to a seasonal flu shot. To date, patients with asthma represented about one in three of the hospitalizations due to the H1N1 virus.

Each year, flu-related complications in the United States are responsible for more than 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths. In June 2009, the World Health Organization declared the swine flu a pandemic due to the spread of
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